Demoiselle crane

　Among foreign birdwatchers visiting Japan, the eagles riding the drift ice in eastern Hokkaido and the vast flocks of cranes in Kagoshima’s Izumi Plain are particularly popular. Having heard that the demoiselle crane had arrived for the first time in five years, I went to scout the location.

　This year, over 13,000 cranes have arrived, but only one of the demoiselle crane. Locals mentioned young one had arrived and that the rice fields it frequented was constantly changing. Just as I thought it might be hopeless, I spotted one quite easily.

　The dark grey hooded crane dominate the flock, so the lighter-coloured demoiselle crane is relatively conspicuous. However, this year the grass is tall, and when they crouch low to feed, they are quite difficult to spot.

　The demoiselle crane is a highly social bird, during migration it forms vast flocks, flying in formation from its breeding grounds in Central Asia to India and the African continent. It is said that the Greeks drew inspiration from the shape of the demoiselle crane’s formation during this migration to create alphabet letters such as V and Y.